Boris Johnson announces a four-week delay to lockdown easing

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Boris Johnson previously said that he wanted as many Covid restrictions lifted as possible after June 21, though earlier this week postponed Britain’s reopening date to July 19 because of fears over the Delta variant. According to a memo, seen by Politico, life may not return to the normal we remember next month as had been planned – with face masks and working from home among the restrictions likely to remain in place.

As a result of the so-called “Freedom Day” being postponed, several reviews on restrictions such as social distancing and face masks have been pushed back as well.

Final decisions on what life will look like after July 19 will be made before Britain moves into step four of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown.

However, leaked documents have revealed one of the potential reopening plans on the table.

These include giving Britons and businesses more flexibility in deciding whether or not to work from home or go back to the office in the future.

Ministers are also reportedly considering new rules fo businesses to keep workplaces better ventilated.

Face masks are also likely going to remain in some settings long term, such as on public transport where they assist with preventing the spread of COVID-19 in confined and poorly ventilated spaces like train carriages.

There will also probably be a form of border controls and isolation in place similar to what Britain has now, given the threat that new variants could pose to normality.

Sources in the cabinet office stressed that the document is one of several potential options, as nothing is signed off or anywhere close to being announced.

Number 10 distanced themselves from the leaked reports, claiming that the info was “from a document that we don’t recognise – it doesn’t reflect the latest Government thinking”.

They added: “We’ve paused at step three for up to four weeks to assess the new Delta variant, and we need to analyse and understand more data on this variable before any future plans are considered.”

A snippet of the document seen by The Sun also suggested that the usage of perspex screens may be reviewed, as “despite their widespread usage there is no good evidence of effectiveness for any diseases.”

One of the main reasons for this, according to the document, is that the airflow of a venue or space is not being considered when positioning said screens.

DON’T MISS
Housekeeper shares simple trick to leave shower sparkling [INSIGHT]
Kay Burley hits out over lockdown fears following Rees-Mogg comments [VIDEO]
Thousands praise hero dog who saved woman on M5 – ‘One very good boy!’ [UPDATE]

It said: “There is currently very little consideration of airflows when positioning screens.”

The Government confirmed that there are “no current plans to legislate on ventilation standards” – though updated advice on this was published in May.

Insiders confirmed that no final decisions should be expected before mid-July as it is “too early to say” where the country will be by then.

A spokesperson for the Government said: “We have paused at Step 3 for up to four weeks due to the new Delta variant, and we will continue to assess the latest data on this variant over the coming weeks.”

Source: Read Full Article